Ferrer advances to QFs at Australian Open

David Ferrer of Spain serves to Florian Mayer of Germany during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014.(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

The Associated Press

David Ferrer of Spain serves to Florian Mayer of Germany during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014.(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

David Ferrer of Spain serves to Florian Mayer of Germany during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2014.(AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) (The Associated Press)

Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Third-seeded David Ferrer overcame a sluggish start to post a 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 win over Germany's Florian Mayer and advance to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

Ferrer was broken in the first game of the match and trailed 3-1 before taking control and advancing to the quarterfinals for the fourth straight time at Melbourne Park and ninth consecutive time at a Grand Slam tournament.

The Spaniard reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 at the end of last season and achieved his highest-ever seeding at the Australian Open.

He next faces the winner of the match between seventh-seeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic and South African Kevin Anderson, being played later Sunday.